Fleeting Happiness

I watched warily as he toyed with the wine bottle, taking a cautious step back, my voice trembling uncontrollably. "Lionel, what... what are you trying to do? A gentleman uses words, not fists—I admit I'm no saint, so the noble role is all yours!"

"Scared?" A cruel, bloodthirsty smirk curled at the corner of his lips. "Margie, you know me better than anyone. I don't go easy on anyone, not even the fairer sex. Saying you love me shouldn't be hard—isn't sweet talk your specialty?"

"I've said it before, huh... and the shelf life on that is still plenty long."

As I eyed the bottle in his hand, an idea struck me. I curved my lips into a smirk, and the next second, white smoke hissed from his grip as the scent of scorched flesh filled the air.